Wednesday, February 27, 2008

David requested an alligator cake for his birthday. I have to make sure I identify it properly because the darn thing turned out so hideous that there's no way anyone could guess what it is. ("Is it an alien?")

He requested an alligator cake but then said, "Yea, and can you make it jumping out of the water up to a tree?"

"Uh, no. Sorry."

"Oh. Well can you make it with a bird in its mouth--like its going to eat it?"

"Uh, no. Sorry."

"How 'bout a fish?"

"Nope."

"Then I guess a plain old alligator is okay."

When I finished the cake and he came home from school for the unveiling my little marine biologist took one look at it and said, "That's not an alligator."

"What?"

"It's not an alligator. Alligators don't have upper and lower teeth showing when their jaws are closed, they only have teeth from their upper jaw pointing down. Crocodiles have both their upper and lower teeth showing when their mouths are closed."

A pause settled over the kitchen as he contemplated the cake. "Can you fix it?"

I snatched off the offending candy corns and tossed them into the sink. "There. It's an alligator."

This sounds like something I would have said as a child... My dad tells the story of when I was 8 or 9: We were at the beach and saw something off the shore. "Look, dolphins!" my mom said. I corrected them, "No, those are porpoises." How I could tell, I don't remember.

Hi, I work for an international discussion programme on BBC World Service radio called World Have Your Say and came across your blog while searching on the Internet. Today (Wednesday) we are talking about the issue of whether its acceptable for women to admit that they don't find everything about motherhood positive, and were wondering if you would be interested in taking part in the discussion. We are on air from 6pm to 7pm London time (1pm to 2pm East Coast time in the States). If you are interested, please send me your phone numbers to martin.vennard@bbc.co.uk and I will call you to confirm the arrangements or call me on 011442075570635 and I will call you straight back.

Oh, I can so hear that conversation replying in my home with my analytical 6-year old!!!

So many times I find myself responding to that kind of statement with, "Be grateful for what you have" or "Let's make do with what we have".

I want so much to encourage in him a spirit of gratitude, so the critical spirit doesn't take over. A naturally critical spirit under God's authority can be so advantageous for problem-solving and leadership. So I pray for my son's wisdom and character (oh, and my own too!)

That is one sweet cake! I had to laugh at your description because our Ethan is the same exact way. His fun time is spent playing Animal Genius on his Leapster and his favorite channel to watch...Animal Planet ;)

I think it's awesome that: A) you made an alligator cake; and B) your son knew the difference between alligators and crocodiles.

I think all mommy-made cakes have that special, slightly "different" look to them. Unless you happen to be a mommy who is also a professional cake decorator--in which case, you should never see a picture of the cake I made for my daughter's first birthday, which was supposed to be a kitty, but had ears so long everyone assumed it was a bunny.

By the way, I saw the earlier comment by the guy from BBC's "World Have Your Say" show. Very cool that you got invited to be on that! I hear it sometimes on my local public radio station. They have people from literally all over the world discussing different issues together. If you decide to do it, you should post and let people know so they can listen to it.

Huh, it looks like an alligator to me! Kind of cute... and no, I wouldn't have thrown the candy corn down the sink, I would have stuffed them into my mouth! Why do those kids have to be so darn smart, anyway?

Well, I love it alligator or not! I have always tried to make special cakes for my kids' birthdays too. Though the only truly free form cake I made was a fire engine. It took 6 bottles of red liquid food coloring. My husband had to keep running back to the store for more! Now, I know to use the gel coloring. Live and learn. This year Mark wants Rocket from Little Einsteins. Yikes!

Gosh, that's better than anything I would have made! :) I still think it looks like an alligator! I didn't even attempt a fancy shaped cake this year- we did cupcakes on tiered plates, draped in fabric- much easier!